Doggie Scoop

Dog Friendly Asheville, NC

Dog Parks:French Broad River Park -180 Amboy Rd & Lyman Ave. – 10 to 15 minute drive from the InnHours: Daylight Cost: Free
One of Asheville’s most beautiful parks, the park meanders alongside the French Broad River and features a vast area of open green space with old trees, a wildflower garden, a paved trail, a gazebo, picnic tables and grills, an observation deck, and a small playground. The Dog Park features a large fenced-in area made for exercising and socializing your pooch! It features a fenced in one acre lot with wood chips, fresh water, dog waste bags and disposal, and it’s leash-less. There is a new separate area for small and large dog separation (although my 9- and 14-lb dogs did just fine with the big boys). There is a great trail system, picnic facilities, and wonderful access to the river for doggy swimming!

Azalea Park Dog Park – 498 Azalea Rd – 20-25 minute drive from the InnHours: Daylight Cost: Free
This 155-acre park has been developed as one of Asheville’s top parks. The John B. Lewis Soccer complex (4 soccer fields) is open with lots more special features to come including trails, picnic areas, disc golf, lakes, a retreat center, the historic Thomas Wolfe cabin, and much more. The Dog Park features two separate fenced area, one for small dogs and one for large dogs. Separate parking for pet owners. There is a gazebo in the large dog area.

The Innkeeper or Assistant Innkeeper are happy to walk your dog(s) while you are out. We will walk your dog(s) around Jake Rusher Park next to the Inn. Walks usually last between 15-25 minutes. Cost is $10 per walk.

Shopping with your pet:

Woof Gang Bakery—South Asheville—in the Biltmore Town Square off I-26—5 minutes from Blake House

Dining with Your Pet:
While Asheville is certainly a dog-friendly city, there are health code restrictions that bar them from eating inside (bummer). But, since Asheville is also an outdoorsy type of place, there are quite a few restaurants all over the area that offer outdoor seating, and in many cases, they allow you to bring Fido to dine with you outside. Each restaurant has their own policy on where your dog can be, so check in advance to make sure where the dog sits and where you sit are together. Here are a few of my favorite places:

12 Bones Smokehouse – almost within walking distance of the Inn – located on Sweeten Creek Road, about 1/4 mile from the Inn. They are only open for lunch (Tues-Sat. 11-4 pm) and carry-out (4-6 pm).

Earthfare (South Asheville) – also located 5 minutes from the Inn – they have a small outdoor eating area that is covered in case it rains. Because the area is small, I would not advise bringing high-strung or more than a couple of dogs. While Earthfare is a grocery store, they have an incredible deli bar, hot bar, salad bar, bakery, and smoothie bar.

Bistro 1896 – on the corner of Pack Square – this place offers one of the best views of downtown Asheville and for some great people watching. Many times, there are street performers on the sidewalk outside the restaurant providing all sorts of entertainment. Dogs will have to be leashed to the railing, so be prepared to wait a little if the restaurant is busy.

Laughing Seed Cafe - THE premier vegetarian restaurant in Asheville. People come from far and wide to eat at this restaurant and they do have a nice, spacious outdoor seating area, although, tables for pets are probably segregated to the front where the wall/railing is located.

There are many more dog-friendly options around the city of Asheville, North Carolina. If you come upon a restaurant with outdoor seating, it doesn’t hurt to ask.